NOTES

THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF ST. JUDE.

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This epistle has three parts:-

I. The inscription, V. 1,2

II. The treatise, in which,

1. He exhorts them to contend for the faith, 3

2. Describes the punishment and the manners of its

adversaries, 4-16

3. Warns the believers, 17-19

4. Confirms them, 20,21

5. Instructs them in their duty to others, 22,23

III. The conclusion, 24,25

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This epistle greatly resembles the second of St. Peter, which

St. Jude seems to have had in view while he wrote. That was

written but a very little before his death; and hence we may

gather that St. Jude lived some time after it, and saw that

grievous declension in the church which St. Peter had foretold.

But he passes over some things mentioned by St. Peter, repeats

some in different expressions and with a different view, and

adds others; clearly evidencing thereby the wisdom of God which

rested upon him. Thus St. Peter cites and confirms St. Paul's

writings, and is himself cited and confirmed by St. Jude.

Verse 1. Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ-The highest glory which

any, either angel or man, can aspire to. The word servant,

under the old covenant, was adapted to the spirit of fear and

bondage that clave to that dispensation. But when the time

appointed of the Father was come, for the sending of his Son to

redeem them that were under the law, the word servant (used by

the apostles concerning themselves and all the children of God)

signified one that, having the Spirit of adoption, is made free

by the Son of God. His being a servant is the fruit and

perfection of his being a son. And whenever the throne of God

and of the Lamb shall be in the new Jerusalem, then will it be

indeed that "his servants shall serve him," # Rev 22:3.

The brother of James-St. James was the more eminent, usually

styled, "the brother of the Lord." To them that are beloved-The

conclusion, # Jude 1:21, exactly answers the introduction.

And preserved through Jesus Christ-So both the spring and the

accomplishment of salvation are pointed out. This is premised,

lest any of them should be discouraged by the terrible things

which are afterwards mentioned. And called-To receive the whole

blessing of God, in time and eternity.

Verse 3. When I gave all diligence to write to you of the common

salvation-Designed for all, and enjoyed by all believers. Here

the design of the epistle is expressed; the end of which exactly

answers the beginning. It was needful to exhort you to contend

earnestly-Yet humbly, meekly, and lovingly; otherwise your

contention will only hurt your cause, if not destroy your soul.

For the faith-All the fundamental truths. Once delivered-By

God, to remain unvaried for ever.

Verse 4. There are certain men crept in, who were of old

described before-Even as early as Enoch; of whom it was

foretold, that by their wilful sins they would incur this

condemnation. Turning the grace of God-Revealed in the

gospel. Into lasciviousness-Into an occasion of more

abandoned wickedness.

Verse 5. He afterwards destroyed-The far greater part of that

very people whom he had once saved. Let none therefore presume

upon past mercies, as if he was now out of danger.

Verse 6. And the angels, who kept not their first dignity-Once

assigned them under the Son of God. But voluntarily left their

own habitation-Then properly their own, by the free gift of God.

He reserved-Delivered to be kept. In everlasting chains under

darkness-O how unlike their own habitation! When these fallen

angels came out of the hands of God, they were holy; else God

made that which was evil: and being holy, they were beloved of

God; else he hated the image of his own spotless purity. But now

he loves them no more; they are doomed to endless destruction.

(for if he loved them still, he would love what is sinful:)

and both his former love, and his present righteous and eternal

displeasure towards the same work of his own hands, are because

he changeth not; because he invariably loveth righteousness,

and hateth iniquity. # 2Pet 2:4.

Verse 7. The cities which gave themselves over to fornication

-The word here means, unnatural lusts. Are set forth as

an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire-That

is, the vengeance which they suffered is an example or a

type of eternal fire.

Verse 8. In like manner these dreamers-Sleeping and dreaming

all their lives. Despise authority-Those that are invested with

it by Christ, and made by him the overseers of his flock. Rail

at dignities-The apostle does not seem to speak of worldly

dignities. These they had "in admiration for the sake of gain,"

# Jude 1:16; but those holy men, who for the purity of their

lives, the soundness of their doctrine, and the greatness of

their labours in the work of the ministry, were truly honourable

before God and all good men; and who were grossly vilified by

those who turned the grace of God into lasciviousness. Probably

they were the impure followers of Simon Magus, the same with the

Gnostics and Nicolaitans, # Rev 2:15. # 2Pet 2:10.

Verse 9. Yet Michael-It does not appear whether St. Jude

learned this by any revelation or from ancient tradition.

It suffices, that these things were not only true, but

acknowledged as such by them to whom he wrote. The archangel

-This word occurs but once more in the sacred writings,

# 1Thess 4:16. So that whether there be one archangel only, or

more, it is not possible for us to determine. When he disputed

with the devil-At what time we know not. Concerning the body

of Moses-Possibly the devil would have discovered the place

where it was buried, which God for wise reasons had concealed.

Durst not bring even against him a railing accusation-Though so

far beneath him in every respect. But simply said, (so great

was his modesty!) The Lord rebuke thee-I leave thee to the

Judge of all.

Verse 10. But these-Without all shame. Rail at the things of

God which they know not-Neither can know, having no spiritual

senses. And the natural things, which they know-By their

natural senses, they abuse into occasions of sin.

Verse 11. Woe unto them-Of all the apostles St. Jude alone,

and that in this single place, denounces a woe. St. Peter, to

the same effect, pronounces them "cursed children." For they

have gone in the way of Cain-The murderer. And ran greedily

-Literally, have been poured out, like a torrent without banks.

After the error of Balaam-The covetous false prophet. And

perished in the gainsaying of Korah-Vengeance has overtaken

them as it did Korah, rising up against those whom God had sent.

Verse 12. These are spots-Blemishes. In your feasts of love

-Anciently observed in all the churches. Feeding themselves

without fear-Without any fear of God, or jealousy over

themselves. Twice dead-In sin, first by nature, and afterwards

by apostasy. Plucked up by the roots-And so incapable of ever

reviving.

Verse 13. Wandering stars-Literally, planets, which shine for

a time, but have no light in themselves, and will be soon cast

into utter darkness. Thus the apostle illustrates their

desperate wickedness by comparisons drawn from the air, earth,

sea, and heavens.

Verse 14. And of these also-As well as the antediluvian sinners

Enoch-So early was the prophecy referred to,

# Jude 1:4.

The seventh from Adam-There were only five of the fathers

between Adam and Enoch, # 1Chron 1:1-3. The first coming of

Christ was revealed to Adam; his second, glorious coming, to

Enoch; and the seventh from Adam foretold the things which will

conclude the seventh age of the world. St. Jude might know

this either from some ancient book, or tradition, or immediate

revelation. Behold-As if it were already done, the Lord cometh!

Verse 15. To execute judgment-Enoch herein looked beyond the

flood. Upon all-Sinners, in general. And to convict all the

ungodly, in particular, of all the grievous things which ungodly

sinners (a sinner is bad; but the ungodly who sin without fear

are worse) have spoken against him,

# Jude 1:8,10, though they might not think, all those speeches

were against him.

Verse 16. These are murmurers-Against men. Complainers

-Literally, complainers of their fate, against God. Walking

-With regard to themselves. After their own foolish and

mischievous desires. Having men's persons in admiration for

the sake of gain-Admiring and commending them only for what

they can get.

Verse 17. By the apostles-He does not exempt himself from the

number of apostles. For in the next verse he says, they told

you, not us.

Verse 19. These are they who separate themselves, sensual, not

having the Spirit-Having natural senses and understanding only,

not the Spirit of God; otherwise they could not separate. For

that it is a sin, and a very heinous one, "to separate from the

church," is out of all question. But then it should be observed,

1. That by the church is meant a body of living Christians,

who are "an habitation of God through the Spirit:" 2. That by

separating is understood, renouncing all religious intercourse

with them; no longer joining with them in solemn prayer, or the

other public offices of religion: and, 3. That we have no more

authority from scripture to call even this schism, than to call

it murder.

Verse 20. But ye, beloved, not separating, but building

yourselves up in your most holy faith-Than which none can be

more holy in itself, or more conducive to the most refined and

exalted holiness. Praying through the Holy Spirit-Who alone

is able to build you up, as he alone laid the foundation. In

this and the following verse St. Jude mentions the Father, Son,

and Spirit, together with faith, love, and hope.

Verse 21. By these means, through his grace, keep yourselves

in the love of God, and in the confident expectation of that

eternal life which is purchased for you, and conferred upon

you, through the mere mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 22. Meantime watch over others, as well as yourselves, and

give them such help as their various needs require. For instance,

1. Some, that are wavering in judgment, staggered by others'

or by their own evil reasoning, endeavour more deeply to

convince of the whole truth as it is in Jesus.

2. Some snatch, with a swift and strong hand, out of the fire

of sin and temptation.

3. On others show compassion in a milder and gentler way;

though still with a jealous fear, lest yourselves be infected

with the disease you endeavour to cure. See, therefore, that

while you love the sinners, ye retain the utmost abhorrence of

their sins, and of any the least degree of, or approach to, them.

Verse 24. Now to him who alone is able to keep them from

falling-Into any of these errors or sins. And to present

them faultless in the presence of his glory-That is, in his

own presence, when he shall be revealed in all his glory.

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